USD/CAD - Dollar Pairing Edging Higher on NAFTA, Budget concerns

Ahead of today’s Federal Budget, the Canadian dollar had an poor day on Monday, the worst performer of all the major currencies we follow closely here and has now weakened in six of the past seven trading days. USD/CAD had fallen to a low around $1.2620 during the Asian session but then turned higher and rose almost a full cent to a day’s high of $1.2705 before settling in the high $1.26’s.

As Bloomberg points out, since defeating former Prime Minister Stephen Harper in 2015, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has taken what was a structural balance under the Conservatives to a small structural deficit. A federal budget operating surplus of about 1% of Gross Domestic Product has been brought to a level just above zero. That means revenues right now just about match expenses, and Canada’s deficit essentially represents borrowing to pay interest on its debt. There’s not much wrong with these metrics but it is not exactly the foundation of something ambitious. In fact, if all goes as planned, Canada’s fiscal picture in about five years’ time will be pretty much the same as Harper’s last Conservative budget; a situation Bloomberg say "could be a problem if Trudeau has any intentions of seeking re-election on an ambitious second-term agenda". In its October update, the government estimated the deficit at $19.9 billion for the fiscal 2017-18 year ending March 31, down from the $28.5 billion anticipated in last year’s budget. For the upcoming 2018-19 fiscal year, the deficit is seen at $18.6 billion

With the seventh round of talks on the North American Free Trade Agreement renegotiation underway in Mexico City, optimists note that an eighth round is already planned in Washington next month. But, with a general election in Mexico on July 1 and the U.S. mid-term elections in November, there is a growing sense of urgency for Canada to achieve some progress now. The Canadian dollar opened in North America at USD/CAD $1.2690, AUD/CAD $0.9950 and GBP/CAD $1.7710.

USD/CAD: Expected Range $1.26 -- $1.2725

Just when the inverse relationship between stock markets and the U.S. dollar seemed to be re-established during the Asian and European time zones on Monday, so it fell apart again during North American hours as the euro and Canadian dollar both came under separate local pressures. Thus, the U.S. dollar index against a basket of major currencies fell from 89.60 to a low of 89.15 as stock index futures rallied almost 200 points but then regained all its losses as the stock marked added a further 100 points. Overnight in Asia and this morning in Europe, futures were largely flat while the U.S. dollar index is pretty much around the mid-point of yesterday’s trading range at 89.45.

A very busy week for U.S. economic data got off to a mixed start. After a 9.3% plunge in December, it had been expected that new home sales would rebound around 3.5% in January. Instead, they tumbled a further 7.8% m/m for the biggest two-month drop since August 2013 while the median price dropped from $336,700 to $323,000 - the lowest since October last year. Elsewhere, however, the Dallas Fed business survey surged to 37.2; its highest level since 2005, probably on the back of higher oil prices which are so important for the regional economy in Texas. The indexes of future general business activity and future company outlook slipped to 40.6 and 34.5, respectively, but both stayed well above their average readings. Most other indexes for future manufacturing activity also fell but remained highly positive.

As well as Jerome Powell’s semi-annual monetary policy testimony Wednesday morning, Tuesday brings wholesale inventories, the advanced goods trade balance, durable goods, and consumer confidence; the first three of which will all feed directly into the Atlanta Fed’s GDPNow model. There’s scope for plenty of volatility around each of the data prints, though the tone and content of Mr Powell’s remarks were key ahead of the March 22 Federal Open Market Committee meeting. The U.S. dollar index opened this morning in North America around 89.45; still more than a full point up on the February 15 low.

CAD/EUR: Expected Range $0.6385 -- $0.644

The euro had a poor week but fought back well this morning, helped by a weaker U.S. dollar on the back of higher U.S. equity markets. On Thursday of last week, it was down almost three cents from its 2018 high of $1.2550 but it has regained a $1.23 handle and seems to have some positive momentum at the start of a busy week of economic data.

It’s only a few days since we had the final euro-zone Consumer Price Index numbers for January and in this shortest month of the year it’s already time for the 'flash estimate' for February which will be published on Wednesday. The final Purchasing Managers' Index numbers are out on Thursday when we’ll also see all the euro-zone countries which are not covered in the mid-month flash. Before then, Bundesbank President Jens Wiedmann will be presenting the institution’s annual report. A fascinating account of a wide-ranging lunch with Weidmann and the FT’s Frankfurt bureau chief was published in this weekend’s Financial Times. Its author reported, "Weidmann contents himself with offering lukewarm praise for (European Central Bank President Mario) Draghi, while echoing a view I have heard on countless occasions in Germany that the ECB has done too much to bail out weaker members of the euro-zone.

"The ECB [is] certainly an institution that functions well,” he says. “But this cannot be an argument for us to take over the role?.?.?.?of governments."

On the subject of governments, Italy votes at the weekend to try to elect a new president of its own. The latest polls point to a hung parliament, where no one party or coalition has a majority to form a government. Should that happen, Italian President Sergio Mattarella will call on parties to form a broader coalition of pre-election adversaries. This could include the ruling centre-left Democratic Party and Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia. Whilst most political pundits see a hung parliament, leading to a broad coalition that includes mainstream parties, as the most positive market outcome because it could result in political stability and policy continuity on Europe, any uncertainty over the government’s make-up could still lead to some short-term volatility in foreign exchange and bond markets. The euro opened in North America this morning at U.S. dollar at $1.2345 and EUR/CAD $1.5595

CAD/GBP: Expected Range $0.5615 -- $0.5665

The pound sterling ended last week lower against the U.S. dollar and twice finished at the bottom of our one-day performance tables. The low point came on Thursday morning London time around $1.3875 before a recovery on Friday in to the high $1.39’s. Overnight in Asia and in Europe this morning, as stocks have rallied further, the U.S. dollar has fallen against all the major currencies and the pound is back at $1.40 for the first time since Wednesday last week. Halfway through this first day of the new week, the sterling is the best performer of all the major currencies we follow closely here.

Despite the softness of incoming economic activity data, policymakers are still talking up the prospect of further rate hikes. An interview with the Sunday Times revealed that the newest Monetary Policy Committee member, Dave Ramsden, who was one of the two doves to vote against a rate hike in November, has now changed his mind. "There does seem to me more impetus on wages. We all will keep a close eye on what happens through the early part of this year to see if that forecast [in a Bank survey] of wage growth picking up to 3% is realized. But certainly relative to where I was, I see the case for rates rising somewhat sooner rather than somewhat later… The economy has a lower speed limit than it did. We already had a productivity growth puzzle, but Brexit has reinforced things."

No discussion of the pound, it seems, can ever be complete without a Brexit update. European Council President Donald Tusk spoke about this in talks with media on Saturday. He warned the British government that Brussels would not accept what he views as cherry picking. "If the media reports are correct, I am afraid the U.K. position today is based on pure illusion." So, while Opposition Leader Jeremy Corbyn Monday morning in Coventry set out a new policy towards membership of a customs union, in which "we would also seek to negotiate protections, clarifications or exemptions where necessary in relation to privatization and public service competition directives, state aid and procurement rules and the posted workers directive," this seems to be the very kind of cherry-picking which the European Union has warned against. The pound opened in North America at USD $1.4055, GBP/EUR $1.1390 and GBP/CAD $1.7755.

CAD/AUD: Expected Range $1.002 -- $1.01

Given the volatility elsewhere in the FX majors on Monday – most notably the GBP and EUR – the Australian dollar had a relatively quiet day. From an opening level in Sydney around USD $0.7840, the Aussie moved up to a best level of $0.7885; its highest since last Tuesday. It then spent the rest of the day giving back these gains, even as equity markets stayed well-bid and the VIX index eased back around half a point to a three-week low of just 16.2. Overnight in Asia it remained on a U.S. 78 cents 'big figure' where it has been ever since last Thursday morning.

There was a hard-hitting report from Credit Suisse overnight which is getting some coverage in the Australian Press. The bank says, "The RBA (Reserve Bank of Australia) has become renowned over the years for delivering hawkish and arguably credible narratives, supported by consistent upward inflection points in its growth and inflation forecasts, virtually dismissing near-term undershoots, resulting in consistent over-prediction of real GDP growth and core CPI inflation." They go on to argue that, "If sluggish wage inflation is a problem for highly leveraged consumers, and RBA forecasting errors are contributing to low wage inflation by allowing growth and inflation expectations to become unhinged, then it stands to reason that officials bear some responsibility for anemic consumption growth." The report concludes that, "If the RBA continues on its merry way, lost credibility may become a more significant factor weighing on inflation expectations and bond yields, notwithstanding how global factors evolve… This means that either the Bank materially revises down its forecasts — and adjusts rates accordingly — to win more credibility, or fiscal policy makers need to take on more responsibility to help keep inflation within the target band."

There is still no general consensus on Australian interest rates from the 'Big Four' banks locally. Westpac see no change in RBA rates until at least the end of 2019, CBA look for unchanged rates until the end of this year, whilst NAB are still calling for two hikes in H2 2018. The GDP figures for Q4 are released next week and the task for analysts until then is to keep one eye on incoming information which shows the progress of the economy in Q1, and the other on the so-called 'partial data' for the end of last year which feed directly into the GDP number. Thus, on Wednesday and Thursday, we get the official and private sector Purchasing Managers Index survey numbers which will be watched closely for any signs of slowdown, albeit against a backdrop of continued global strength whilst Thursday brings the two Australian manufacturing PMI surveys and the Q4 Private Capital Expenditure numbers. The Australian dollar opened in North America this morning at USD $0.7845, with AUD/NZD at $1.0770 and AUD/CAD $0.9955.

CAD/NZD: Expected Range $1.0705 -- $1.086

Having been the worst performing currency on Friday, the New Zealand dollar was back at the top of the pile on Monday, even as there was no fresh incoming news or economic data. Instead, it continued to be driven by flows in the AUD/NZD cross rate which then fed through across the majors in what can sometimes be a relatively illiquid currency. Today, after a worse-than-expected set of merchandise trade figures, NZD/USD is back on a U.S. 72-cent 'big figure' and testing technical support in the $0.7275-80 area which could then open up a bigger downside move.

Just as New Zealand’s dollar is volatile, so too are some of its economic statistics. In January 2018, New Zealand recorded its largest deficit for the month of January since 2007. This deficit contrasts with last month’s surplus, which was the largest ever for a December month. The January 2018 trade balance was a deficit of $566 million. This was larger than January 2017 deficit as imports rose more than exports. Stats NZ noted that, "Both imports and exports reached new highs for January months. Import growth remains strong while export growth didn’t carry on at the same rate as the record-setting December 2017 month." The official statisticians always provide plenty of fascinating detail and this months report was no exception. They report the $373 million (9.5%) rise in exports was led by milk powder, butter, and cheese – up $101 million. The countries with the largest rises in exports in the milk powder, butter, and cheese group were Algeria (milk powder), Peru (milk powder), and Iran (butter). Values were down $21 million to China, due to lower exports of milk powder. This fall is the first for the milk powder, butter, and cheese group to China since November 2016.

As local news media are consumed both with a controversial Australian TV interview with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and suggestions for what former U.S. President Barack Obama should do on his forthcoming trip to New Zealand, the week’s economic calendar barely registers any interest at all. On Wednesday, we have the ANZ Business survey and on Friday the international travel and migration figures. These will be a stark reminder of the importance of tourism to the NZ economy, which is now New Zealand's largest export earner, overtaking dairy in 2015/16. International tourism expenditure reached $14.5 billion in the year-ended March 2017 and it is estimated that international visitors are delivering $40 million in foreign exchange to the New Zealand economy each day of the year – one in five export dollars. The Kiwi Dollar opened this morning in North America at USD $0.72800 and NZD/CAD $0.9240.

Enjoy significant savings and excellent service when transferring funds with CanadianForex.ca